Clasp



1927' R. K. GUINZBURG CLASP Filed April 1926 !NVENTOR RALPH K. GUINZBURG ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

RALYH K. GUINZBURG, 0F CHAFPAQUA, NEVJ YORK, ASSIGNOR TO I. B. KLEINERT RUBBER COMPANY, OF NEW? YORK, N. Y

CLASP.

Application filed April 21, 1926.

This invention relates to lingerie clasps and more particularly to a novel and im proved retainer or fastening device for the shoulder straps of lingerie, brassieres, dress shields or underwear genel ally.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a lingerie clasp or retaining device for use in conjunction with the band of a dress shield whereby the shoulder straps of lingerie, brassieres or underwear may be held in proper position.

Another object of my invention is to provide an open lingerie clasp having provision whereby the band of a dress shield for instance may be trained therethrougli includ' ing means for locking said clasp to retain the shoulder straps of undergarments.

A further object of the invention is to provide a lingerie clasp formed from a single strip of metal which when closed constitutes a loop constructed and arranged to permit a narrow band to be retained in position by one portion of the clasp.

An additional object of my invention is to construct a substantially flat lingerie clasp having snap fastening or interlocking ends, one portion of the clasp being formed with an upstruck hump or ridge whereby a narrow band or strip such as-a dress shield elastic band may be trained through the loop formed by the hump or ridge and freely held in position without interference of the shoulder straps held by the clasp proper.

To enable others skilled in the art to fully comprehend the underlying features of my invention that they may embody the same in the various modifications in structure and relation of parts contemplated, drawings depicting a preferred form have been annexed as a part of this disclosure and in such drawings similar reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which,

Fig 1 is a view showing the preferred. form of my invention and its application to the band or strip of a dress shield.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly brolten away to show the hump or struck up portion of the lower bar.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that shown by Fig. 2 showing a modified form.

Fig. 4; is a still further modified form showing the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, 5 designates for illustrative purposes a dress shield Serial No. 103,624.

to the ends of which is fastened or attached a resilient band or strip 6 forming a closed loop to which my invention is applied. The clasp proper is adapted to perform two purposes or functions. First, it afi ords a means for retaining the band or strip in position and prevents its turning or rolling and twisting. Secondly, the clasp affords anieans for retaining the shoulder straps of undergarments such as lingerie, brassieres or underwear.

In the preferred form of the invention shown by Figs. 1 and 2, the clasp consists of a top and bottom bar 7, 8 bent from a single strip of resilient metal, being closed at one end 9. The said bars are of the same length and width, being in superposed relation. The ends 10, ll of the bars are rolled inwardly so that the end of the top bar will ride over the end of the bottom bar to snap or look therewith. Due to the resiliency of the metal forming the clasp, the top bar may be disengaged from the lower bar by inserting the finger nail for instance below the rolled end so that when the clasp is opened, the shoulder straps of the undergarment may be inserted and retained in the manner well understood.

Various means have been resorted to in making clasps to retain the straps of lingerie, brassieres and underwear. In some instances upwardly struck prongs or pins have been provided but are objectionable b-ecause they tear or make holes in the straps. in other instances a separate strip or fastening element is attached to the clasp between the top and bottom bars. These are objectionable. because of the difficulty of manufacture by automatic machinery and for the additional reason are unsatisfactory because they are so easily broken.

In order to overcome the above objections and others, 1 construct my clasp by slitting or cutting the bottom bar 8 at a point between the side edges 12, 13 as indicated by numeral 14 and then striking upv or bending the metal to form a hump or ridge 15. The width of the said hump or ridge is preferably about one half the width of the lower bar but it may be wider or narrower if so desired. In this manner, the band or strip of the dress shield may be trained through the clasp and below the hump or ridge and re tained thereby without interference with the other shoulder straps of the undergarments.

In the preferred form shown, since the hump or ridge is continuous or unbroken, the band or strip after being trained therethrough is permanently attached to the dress shield whereby the clasp cannot be lost ano is held at all times by the bane. It is conter plat-ed however and it so desired the hump or ridge may be split transversely and as further shown in connection with modified forms of the invention, so that the band or strip by reason of the resiliency of the metal, may be forced through the split.

In the form of the invention shown by Fig. 8, it will be noted that the lower bar 16 is slit or cut at points inwardly of the side edges 17, 18 and the metal of the bar is struck or bent upwardly forming a hump or ridge 19 substantially intern'iediate the ends of the bar and equally spaced from the side edges. The hump or ridge may be continuous or closed as shown by Fig. 2 or it so desired may be split trans ersely as at 20 to accomplish the same result as above described.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a pin type form of clasp instead of the flat bar type. It will be easily recognized and understood by those skilled in the art that the leg 21 of the pin may be flattened to form a plate 22 of any desired length and width so that a hump or ridge 23 may be cut or struck up in the same manner as that described in connection with either the form shown by Figs. 2 or 3.

Having shown and described my inven tion, What I now claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the U. S. is:

1. A clasp of the character described comprising a top and bottom connected bar. means for locking the ends of said bars, and a split hump or ridge forming a loop with the lower bar and through which a band or strip may be trained and held thereby.

2. A clasp of the character described comprising a top and bottom bar tor-med from a single strip of material, means for locking the ends of said bars whereby the strap of an undergarment may be retained thereby, said lower bar having a split hump or ridge formed by striking or bending up a portion of the material 0t said s :p oetween its side edges producing a closed loop extending in the same plane as the said her and through which loop a band or strip may be trained and held freely and independently of the strap ot the undergarinent.

In testimony whereof he has aliixed his signature.

RALPH K. GUINZBURG. 

